U.S. patent number 8,727,738 [Application Number 12/546,956] was granted by the patent office on 2014-05-20 for jet pump assembly having increased entrainment flow.
This patent grant is currently assigned to GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is John Robert Bass, Phillip G. Ellison, Bobby Malone, Jin Yan. Invention is credited to John Robert Bass, Phillip G. Ellison, Bobby Malone, Jin Yan.
United States Patent |
8,727,738 |
Bass , et al. |
May 20, 2014 |
Jet pump assembly having increased entrainment flow
Abstract
A jet pump assembly according to an example embodiment of the
present invention includes an inlet body arranged in proximity with
a throat structure so as to provide an entrainment entrance between
a discharge end of the inlet body and the throat structure. A drive
flow of a motive fluid is supplied at a first velocity to the inlet
body and is discharged through at least one nozzle at a higher
second velocity, thereby creating a pressure drop in the throat
structure. The pressure drop facilitates a first entrained flow of
suction fluid into the entrainment entrance and a second entrained
flow of suction fluid through at least one channel passing through
the inlet body. The at least one channel is configured such that
the second entrained flow is isolated from the drive flow while
passing through the inlet body.
Inventors: |
Bass; John Robert (Leland,
NC), Ellison; Phillip G. (Wilmington, NC), Malone;
Bobby (Castle Hayne, NC), Yan; Jin (Wilmington, NC) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bass; John Robert
Ellison; Phillip G.
Malone; Bobby
Yan; Jin |
Leland
Wilmington
Castle Hayne
Wilmington |
NC
NC
NC
NC |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas
LLC (Wilmington, NC)
|
Family
ID: |
43216755 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/546,956 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2009 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20110052424 A1 |
Mar 3, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
417/177;
417/151 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04F
5/463 (20130101); F04F 5/466 (20130101); F04F
5/20 (20130101); G21C 15/25 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F04F
5/46 (20060101); F04F 5/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;417/151,177,179 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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71199 |
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Jul 1991 |
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JP |
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2009-162638 |
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Jul 2009 |
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JP |
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Other References
Mexican Office Action dated Jul. 11, 2013, issued in corresponding
Mexican Application No. MX/a/2010/009374. cited by applicant .
Unofficial English translation of a JP Office Action issued in
connection with corresponding JP Patent Application No. 2010-185696
dated Dec. 2, 2013. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Freay; Charles
Assistant Examiner: Stimpert; Philip
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Harness, Dickey & Pierce,
P.L.C.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A jet pump assembly comprising: an inlet body having a receiving
end, an intermediate section, and a discharge end, the inlet body
configured to receive a drive flow of a motive fluid at a first
velocity through the receiving end and to facilitate movement of
the motive fluid through the intermediate section to the discharge
end; a throat structure arranged in proximity to the discharge end
of the inlet body so as to provide an entrainment entrance between
the discharge end and the throat structure, the throat structure
configured to receive the motive fluid from the inlet body and
first and second entrained flows of suction fluid external to the
inlet body; at least one channel extending from a curved upper
surface of the intermediate section to a bottom surface of the
discharge end of the inlet body, the at least one channel defining
an entrainment passage for the second entrained flow of the suction
fluid such that the second entrained flow is isolated from the
drive flow while passing through the inlet body; at least one
nozzle disposed on the discharge end of the inlet body and
configured to discharge the motive fluid from the inlet body into
the throat structure at a second velocity, the second velocity
being higher than the first velocity so as to create a pressure
drop within the throat structure, the pressure drop facilitating
the first entrained flow of suction fluid into the entrainment
entrance and the second entrained flow of suction fluid through the
at least one channel.
2. The jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the inlet body is
elbow-shaped.
3. The jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the throat structure
is arranged below the inlet body so as to be aligned with the
discharge end.
4. The jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one
channel is aligned with a center of the throat structure.
5. The jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one
nozzle includes a plurality of nozzles disposed on the discharge
end of the inlet body.
6. The jet pump assembly of claim 5, wherein the plurality of
nozzles includes five nozzles disposed on the discharge end of the
inlet body.
7. The jet pump assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one
channel includes a single channel extending to a center of the
surface of the discharge end.
8. The jet pump assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one
channel extends to the surface of the discharge end surrounded by
the plurality of nozzles.
9. The jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one
channel is cylindrically-shaped.
10. The jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one
channel extends vertically from the surface of the intermediate
section to the surface of the discharge end of the inlet body.
11. The jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the at
least one channel is greater than a diameter of the at least one
nozzle.
12. The jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein an inner diameter of
the receiving end of the inlet body is greater than an inner
diameter of the at least one channel.
13. The jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein a total volume of the
inlet body is greater than a total volume of the at least one
channel.
14. The jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one
nozzle extends beyond the at least one channel in a direction
coinciding with the movement of the motive fluid from the discharge
end.
15. The jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one
channel extends through an elbow portion of the inlet body.
16. The jet pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the inlet body
defines a first isolated space of a first volume for the drive
flow, and the at least one channel defines a second isolated space
of a second volume for the second entrained flow, the first volume
being greater than the second volume.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field
The present disclosure relates to jet pumps for nuclear
reactors.
2. Description of Related Art
FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of a conventional jet pump in a reactor
pressure vessel of a boiling water reactor. Referring to FIG. 1, a
drive flow 102 of a motive fluid (coolant outside the reactor
pressure vessel) enters the riser pipe 104 and flows upwardly to
the inlet elbows 106. As the drive flow 102 is discharged downwards
through the nozzles 108, an entrained flow 110 of suction fluid
(coolant inside the reactor pressure vessel) is drawn into the
throat 112 of the mixer 114 and is mixed with the drive flow 102.
The mixed flow continues downwardly to the diffusers 116 where the
kinetic energy of the mixed flow is converted to pressure.
SUMMARY
A jet pump assembly according to an example embodiment of the
present invention includes an inlet body having a receiving end, an
intermediate section, and a discharge end, the inlet body
configured to receive a drive flow of a motive fluid at a first
velocity through the receiving end and to facilitate movement of
the motive fluid through the inter mediate section to the discharge
end. The jet pump assembly additionally includes a throat structure
arranged in proximity to the discharge end of the inlet body so as
to provide an entrainment entrance between the discharge end and
the throat structure. The throat structure is configured to receive
the motive fluid from the inlet body and first and second entrained
flows of suction fluid external to the inlet body. The jet pump
assembly also includes at least one channel extending from a
surface of the intermediate section to a surface of the discharge
end of the inlet body. The channel defines an entrainment passage
for the second entrained flow of the suction fluid such that the
second entrained flow is isolated from the drive flow while passing
through the inlet body. The jet pump assembly further includes at
least one nozzle disposed on the discharge end of the inlet body
and configured to discharge the motive fluid from the inlet body
into the throat structure at a second velocity, the second velocity
being higher than the first velocity so as to create a pressure
drop within the throat structure. The pressure drop facilitates the
first entrained flow of suction fluid into the entrainment entrance
and the second entrained flow of suction fluid through the at least
one channel.
A method of increasing fluid entrainment in a jet pump assembly
according to an example embodiment of the present invention
includes providing an inlet body having a receiving end, an
intermediate section, a discharge end, at least one nozzle disposed
on the discharge end, and at least one channel extending from a
surface of the intermediate section to a surface of the discharge
end of the inlet body. The method additionally includes arranging
the inlet body in proximity with a throat structure so as to
provide an entrainment entrance between the discharge end of the
inlet body and the throat structure. The method also includes
supplying a drive flow of a motive fluid at a first velocity to the
receiving end and through the intermediate section to the discharge
end of the inlet body. The method further includes discharging the
motive fluid from the inlet body through the at least one nozzle at
a second velocity, the second velocity being higher than the first
velocity so as to create a pressure drop in the throat structure.
The pressure drop facilitates a first entrained flow of suction
fluid into the entrainment entrance and a second entrained flow of
suction fluid through the at least one channel. The at least one
channel is configured such that the second entrained flow is
isolated from the drive flow while passing through the inlet
body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments
herein may become more apparent upon review of the detailed
description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The
accompanying drawings are merely provided for illustrative purposes
and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims. The
accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale
unless explicitly noted. For purposes of clarity, various
dimensions of the drawings may have been exaggerated.
FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of a conventional jet pump in a reactor
pressure vessel of a boiling water reactor.
FIG. 2A is a first side view of a jet pump assembly according to an
example embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2B is a second side view of a jet pump assembly according to
an example embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a jet pump assembly according to
an example embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a discharge end of an inlet body
according to an example embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a depiction of the drive flow, first entrained flow, and
second entrained flow during the operation of a jet pump assembly
according to an example embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method of increasing fluid
entrainment in a jet pump assembly according to an example
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred
to as being "on," "connected to," "coupled to," or "covering"
another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to,
coupled to, or covering the other element or layer or intervening
elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is
referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or
"directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no
intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout the specification. As used herein, the term
"and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the
associated listed items.
It should be understood that, although the terms first, second,
third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements,
components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements,
components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited
by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one
element, component, region, layer, or section from another region,
layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer,
or section discussed below could be termed a second element,
component, region, layer, or section without departing from the
teachings of example embodiments.
Spatially relative terms (e.g., "beneath," "below," "lower,"
"above," "upper," and the like) may be used herein for ease of
description to describe one element or feature's relationship to
another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It
should be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended
to encompass different orientations of the device in use or
operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements
described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would
then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the
term "below" may encompass both an orientation of above and below.
The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at
other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used
herein interpreted accordingly.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
various embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an,"
and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when
used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components,
but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups thereof.
Example embodiments are described herein with reference to
cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of
idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of example
embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the
illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques
and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments
should not be construed as limited to the shapes of regions
illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that
result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, an implanted
region illustrated as a rectangle will, typically, have rounded or
curved features and/or a gradient of implant concentration at its
edges rather than a binary change from implanted to non-implanted
region. Likewise, a buried region formed by implantation may result
in some implantation in the region between the buried region and
the surface through which the implantation takes place. Thus, the
regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and
their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a
region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of
example embodiments.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example
embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms,
including those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be
interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
FIG. 2A is a first side view of a jet pump assembly according to an
example embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a second
side view of a jet pump assembly according to an example embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a jet
pump assembly according to an example embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a discharge end of an inlet
body according to an example embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a depiction of the drive flow, first entrained flow, and
second entrained flow during the operation of a jet pump assembly
according to an example embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 2A-4, the jet pump assembly 200 includes an
inlet body 202 having a receiving end 204, an intermediate section
206, and a discharge end 208. The inlet body 202 is configured to
receive a drive flow 402 of a motive fluid from a riser pipe 404.
The drive flow 402 is received at a first velocity through the
receiving end 204 of the inlet body 202 and moves through the
intermediate section 206 to the discharge end 208. As illustrated
in the figures, the inlet body 202 may be elbow-shaped, although
other suitable shapes may also be used.
A throat structure 214 is arranged in proximity to the discharge
end 208 of the inlet body 202 so as to provide an entrainment
entrance between the discharge end 208 and the throat structure
214. For instance, the throat structure 214 may be arranged below
the inlet body 202 so as to be aligned with the discharge end 208.
The entrainment entrance accommodates a first entrained flow 406 of
suction fluid into the throat structure 214.
The jet pump assembly 200 may optionally include a throat connector
configured to facilitate a connection between the inlet body 202
and the throat structure 214. The throat connector may have an
upper portion configured to support the discharge end 208 of the
inlet body 202 so as to provide the entrainment entrance and a
lower portion configured to rest on a rim of the throat structure
214. The throat connector may be a separate component or may be
integrally for as part of the inlet body 202.
A channel 210 extends from a surface of the intermediate section
206 to a surface of the discharge end 208 of the inlet body 202.
The channel 210 defines an entrainment passage for a second
entrained flow 408 of the suction fluid. The passage defined by the
channel 210 is distinct from the openings for the nozzles 212. As a
result, the second entrained flow 408 is isolated from the drive
flow 402 while passing through the inlet body 202. The channel 210
may be cylindrically-shaped, although other shapes may also be
suitable. Additionally, although the channel 210 is shown as
extending vertically, it should be understood that the channel 210
may also extend at an angle. Furthermore, although only one channel
210 per inlet body 202 is illustrated in the figures, it should be
understood that a plurality of channels 210 may be provided for
each inlet body 202 to increase the entrained flow area.
A plurality of nozzles 212 are disposed on the discharge end 208 of
the inlet body 202 and configured to discharge the motive fluid
from the inlet body 202 into the throat structure 214 at a second
velocity. The second velocity of the discharged drive flow 402 is
higher than the first velocity of the incoming drive flow 402,
thereby creating a pressure drop within the throat structure 214.
The pressure drop draws the first entrained flow 406 of suction
fluid into the entrainment entrance and the second entrained flow
408 of suction fluid through the channel 210. Although a plurality
of nozzles 212 are illustrated in the figures, it should be
understood that one nozzle or a plurality of nozzles (e.g., five)
may be used depending on the circumstances.
Referring to FIG. 3, the channel 210 extends to a surface of the
discharge end 208 surrounded by the plurality of nozzles 212. It
should be understood that when a plurality of channels are
employed, the channels may be arranged amongst the plurality of
nozzles in a manner that would facilitate an increase in entrained
flow.
The throat structure 214 is configured to receive the drive flow
402 of motive fluid discharged from the nozzles 212, the first
entrained flow 406 of suction fluid drawn through the entrainment
entrance, and the second entrained flow 408 of suction fluid drawn
through the channel 210. The discharged drive flow 402, first
entrained flow 406, and second entrained flow 408 form a mixed flow
410 in the mixer 216 of the jet pump assembly 200. The mixed flow
410 continues to the diffuser 218 where the kinetic energy of the
mixed flow 410 is converted to pressure. As a result of the channel
210, the core flow in the reactor may be increased, thereby
improving efficiency.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method of increasing fluid
entrainment in a jet pump assembly according to an example
embodiment of the present invention. Referring to step S502 of FIG.
5, the method includes providing an inlet body 202 with a channel
210 extending from an outer surface of the inter section 206 of the
inlet body 202 to an outer surface of the discharge end 208 of the
inlet body 202.
Referring to step S504 of FIG. 5, the method additionally includes
arranging the inlet body 202 in proximity with a throat structure
214 so as to provide an entrainment entrance between the discharge
end 208 of the inlet body 202 and the throat structure 214. The
throat structure 214 may be arranged below the inlet body 202 so as
to be aligned with the discharge end 208.
Referring to step S506 of FIG. 5, the method also includes
supplying a drive flow 402 of a motive fluid at a first velocity to
the receiving end 204 of the inlet body 202 such that the drive
flow 402 travels through the intermediate section 206 to the
discharge end 208 of the inlet body 202. The drive flow 402 may
travel along a curved path through the inlet body 202.
Referring to step S208 of FIG. 2, the method further includes
discharging the motive fluid from the inlet body 202 through least
one nozzle 212 at a second velocity. The second velocity of the
discharged drive flow 402 is higher than the first velocity of the
incoming drive flow 402, thereby creating a pressure drop in the
throat structure 214. As a result of the pressure drop, a first
entrained flow 406 of suction fluid is drawn into the entrainment
entrance and a second entrained flow 408 of suction fluid is drawn
into the channel 210. The passage defined by the channel 210 is
distinct from the openings of the nozzles 212. As a result, the
second entrained flow 408 is isolated from the drive flow 402 while
passing through the inlet body 202.
The second entrained flow 408 may enter the inlet body 202 through
an upper surface of the intermediate section 206 of the inlet body
202. The second entrained flow 408 may also travel a straight path
through the inlet body 202. In addition to being straight, the path
may also be vertical. The second entrained flow 408 may exit the
inlet body 202 through a center of the discharge end 208. However,
it should be understood that other variations are also possible.
For instance, the path of the second entrained flow 408 through the
inlet body 202 may be curved.
One or more nozzles 212 may be disposed at the discharge end 208 of
the inlet body 202. When a plurality of nozzles 212 are employed,
the channel 210 may be arranged such that the second entrained flow
408 exits the inlet body 202 at a surface of the discharge end 208
surrounded by the plurality of nozzles 212. For instance, the drive
flow 402 may be discharged from the inlet body 202 through five
nozzles 212, and the second entrained flow 408 may exit the inlet
body 202 at a surface of the discharge end 208 surrounded by the
five nozzles 212.
While a number of example embodiments have been disclosed herein,
it should be understood that other variations may be possible. Such
variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit
and scope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications as
would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be
included within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *